1 Kings 10:6-7 “’It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I had heard.’”
Observation: The queen of Sheba had heard reports of the wisdom and prosperity of King Solomon and had traveled 1,200 miles by camel to see for herself.
Application: I, too, marvel at the vast riches of Solomon’s domain as I read these verses. The majestic throne carved from pure ivory, solid gold drinking cups, mountains of spices from around the world, and such profound wisdom that leaders from everywhere came to seek Solomon’s counsel. Never before had there been such a concentration of wealth and wisdom, nor would there be again until the return of the King of kings.
After fixing the clearest possible mental picture of the riches of Solomon’s kingdom, I then allow my mind to wander over all of God’s creation—the majesty of the mountains, the unmatched beauty of the interplay of sky, meadow, river, and forest, each filled with an abundance of life. Then I focus on this thought: all that I see, all that I can even imagine seeing of the wonders of the world, is the aftermath of destruction.
Every breathtaking view my clouded eyes behold is the residue of the flood of Noah just a few thousand years ago. All creation was destroyed, and every feature of the earth changed from the glory God originally created. Just as Solomon’s majesty and glory dim in comparison to the glory and beauty of the King of kings, all creation I look at today is but a dim reflection of His incomparable original design. One day I will see all this clearly. I will be stunned, as was the queen of Sheba regarding Solomon’s glory, to grasp His full magnificence.
Prayer: O Lord, thank You for the glimpses You give me of how powerful, how beautiful, You really are. Thank You, too, for planting deep within me the knowledge that I can now only behold the ”beginning of the beginning” of Your marvelous character and Your creative power. Cause me to hunger after more of You, Lord. Give me a divine disquiet in my heart as I contemplate how little I truly know of You. Cause me to pant with thirst for the river of refreshing that comes only from Your throne, O God. And thank You that full satisfaction is to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. You do intend to be known, and it’s in Him that I can know You!